Soda Tax

WHEREAS, soda taxes have taken many forms over the years and have generally been defeated on valid grounds; and

WHEREAS, for those cities currently experiencing a budget shortfall, the soda tax has become an increasingly attractive revenue source; and

WHEREAS, soda tax proponents have changed their strategy by cleverly expanding the list of stated reasons for the tax beyond obesity by including diet soda, as well as universal pre-school programs, improved libraries, community centers and parks, while at the same time refusing to consider the adverse impact that this special tax will have on the thousands of Teamster members who produce, warehouse and deliver these products.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED at this 29th International Convention that the delegates here assembled commit to protect the jobs of our working families by demanding that any soda tax proposal include measures to address the potential adverse impact upon our members; and

FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED that if the proponents refuse to address the unfair impact upon our members, we are duty bound to oppose and defeat the proposal.